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La Palma has a network of several astronomical viewpoints located in strategic locations for observing the sky. Among them, we highlight the viewpoints of Llano del Jable (El Paso) and Llano de La Venta (Breña Baja), both located in the Refugio del Pilar area (LP-301 road), at more than 1,300 meters above sea level. From there it is possible to contemplate a wonderful starry sky and, at certain times of the year, taking advantage of moonless nights, you can also … Read More

The Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, which began on September 19 and ended on December 25, 2021, forced us to stop our stargazing tours for a few months (in the previous post we explained in detail how the volcanic eruption affected us). We are pleased to inform you that we will finally be able to resume our stargazing tours. Currently (January 2022), one of our usual tour locations, the astronomical viewpoint of Llano del Jable (located near the Refugio del Pilar, … Read More

How the volcanic eruption is affecting our stargazing tours. (Updated to November 8, 2021). Due to the volcanic eruption that is occurring in the Cumbre Vieja area, our stargazing tours with telescopes are currently not available. Our usual stargazing locations (astronomical viewpoint Llano del Jable and astronomical viewpoint Llano de La Venta) are currently in the exclusion zone, so they are not passable. In the meantime, why don’t we carry out stargazing tours from other parts of the island? An … Read More

A total lunar eclipse will occur on 27th July 201, and it will be visible over Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. Totality will last for 103 minutes, making it the longest eclipse of the 21st century. The whole phenomenon will last 6 hours 14 minutes (visible from Canary Islands during 3 hours 29 minutes). The magnitude of the eclipse is 1.609 and the penumbral magnitude is 2.679. Timing (Canary Islands time): Beginning of the penumbral eclipse: 18:15 (not visible … Read More

The Lyrids are a strong meteor shower lasting from April 16 to April 25 each year. Their peak this year is around April 22 with a rate of 20 meteors per hour (sometimes the rate can reach 100 meteors per hour) and an average velocity of 49 km/s. The radiant of Lyrids is located close to Vega, the brightest star of the constellation Lyra. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the long-period Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). … Read More

In 2018 spring will begin on Tuesday 20th of March at 16:15 UTC, and it will end on 21st of June with the beginning of summer. The beginning of seasons is conventionally established by particular positions of the Earth during its orbit around the Sun. So the spring equinox occurs when the plane of Earth’s Equator passes the center of the Sun. At that instant, the tilt of Earth’s axis neither inclines away from nor towards the Sun. When that occurs, the daytime … Read More

The Quadrantids are a prolific meteor shower lasting from the 1st to the 6th of January each year. Their peak is typical around the 4th of January with a rate of 120 meteors per hour and an average velocity of 41 km/s. The radiant of Quadrantids is located close to the constellation Boötes (not far from the Big Dipper), even if the name Quadrantids comes from the now-defunct constellation Quadrans Muralis. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust … Read More

In 2017 winter will begin on Thursday 21st of December at 16:28 UTC. This season will last 89 days and it will end on 20th of March with the beginning of spring. The beginning of seasons is conventionally established by particular positions of the Earth during its orbit around the Sun. So the winter solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its greatest height south, i.e. the declination is -23º 27′ for the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere summer begins. Solstice is derived … Read More

The Geminids are a prolific meteor shower lasting from the 7th to the 17th of December each year. Their peak is typical around the 13th-14th of December with a rate of 120 meteors per hour and an average velocity of 35 km/s. The radiant of Geminids is located close to the constellation Gemini. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the asteroid (3200) Phaethon, with an unusual orbit that brings it closer to the Sun than … Read More

The Orionids are a prolific meteor shower lasting from October, 2 to November, 7 each year. Their peak is typical around October, 21 with a rate of 23 meteors per hour and an average velocity of 66 km/s. The radiant of Orionids is located close to the constellation Orion. Generally yellowish green, these meteors usually leave a fleeting tail behind them. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the well known Comet 1P/Hubble, which last passed through … Read More

In 2017 autumn will begin on Friday 22nd of September at 8:02pm UTC. This season will last 89 days, and it will end on 21st of December with the beginning of winter. The beginning of seasons is conventionally established by particular positions of the Earth during its orbit around the Sun. An equinox occurs when the plane of Earth’s Equator passes the center of the Sun. The two annual equinoxes are the only times when the subsolar point (the place … Read More

Music and Astronomy fuse together in the Astromusic event, that will take place at Finca La Principal (Breña Alta) on Saturday 12th of August, from 8:30pm. All the participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a good live music concert by Vrandán and stargazing with telescope supervised by Ad Astra La Palma, in a charming and relaxing environment. Tickets costs 10€ and includes one drink and the stargazing. More information: www.fincalaprincipal.com facebook.com/fincalaprincipal Tel. (0034) 639 640 584

The Perseids, also known as the “tears of Saint Lawrence”, are a prolific meteor shower lasting from July 17 to August 24 each year. This year their peak is around the 11th-13th of August  with a rate of 100 meteors per hour and an average velocity of 59 km/s. The radiant of Perseids is located close to the constellation Perseus. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, with a period of 135 years. … Read More

In 2017 summer will begin on Wednesday 21st of June at 04:24 UTC. This season will last 94 days and it will end on 22nd of September with the beginning of autumn. The beginning of seasons is conventionally established by particular positions of the Earth during its orbit around the Sun. So the summer solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its greatest height, i.e. the declination is +23º 27′ for the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere winter begins. Solstice is … Read More

The Eta Aquarids are a weak meteor shower lasting from April 19 to May 28 each year. Their peak is typical around May 5-6 with a rate of 40 meteors per hour and an average velocity of 66 km/s. The radiant is located close to Eta Aquarii, the brightest star of the constellation Aquarius. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the short-period Comet Halley. The Eta Aquarids are best viewed above the South-East horizon in the … Read More